England

Overview Selection was always going to be fascinating once injuries to Lewis Moody, Tom Croft and Courtney Lawes robbed Martin Johnson of the most athletic pack in world rugby. He's resisted the temptation to go big – although there are options on the bench – and a debut at blindside flanker for Tom Wood obviously adds to the lineout options, which otherwise might have looked a little limited.

Tactics England's autumn was interesting, with the swing from victory over Australia to painful defeat by a very motivated Springbok side. But if it proved anything it was that Johnson has a back three to worry the best. In Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Mark Cueto there is a willingness to run and any poor kicking, sluggish kick-chasing, turnover or lack of precision will result in an England counterattack.

France

Overview The first question to ask is which France will it be? The one that did the grand slam last season or the one that did so poorly in South Africa and Argentina before losing its wheels in the second half against Australia? A lot of people will be looking to Paris at tea-time tomorrow to see whether Marc Lièvremont has got the show back on the road or whether Scotland are the force they promise to be.

Tactics Damien Traille at full-back and Imanol Harinordoquy back in the pack. No need to guess at the tactics. France have five targets in the lineout and are particularly good on their opponents' ball. So Traille boots it deep and the opposition hooker has a nightmare trying to find a safe target to aim for. With a full lineout there isn't one, so expect Scotland to call a few four-man varieties.

Ireland

Overview There comes a time when a team slip from being experienced to being too old. A strength becomes a weakness. Add a string of injuries that removes guys such as Tommy Bowe, John Hayes, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Jerry Flannery, Geordan Murphy and Andrew Trimble from the match-day 22 and on the face of it Ireland have trouble. However, ever since he's been in place Declan Kidney has said that he's been building a squad. Now we'll see how far he's got.

Tactics Injuries will play a part but the old adage that "Munster provide the forwards, Leinster the backs" has long gone and the key man in Rome this weekend could be Mike Ross, the former Harlequin tighthead who now plays his rugby in Dublin. With John Hayes, a much-unsung prop hero, thinking more about life on his farm, Kidney has tried a few replacements but Ross is probably the most solid. The only Irish debutant is the wing Fergus McFadden, not so long ago a centre replacement on the Leinster bench.

Italy

Overview The way rugby is currently played has gone against the forward-dominated game played for a decade by Italy. Now there is more adventure and it was interesting to see the ambition shown for Italy A by the Pratichetti brothers and the wing Giulio Toniolatti against England Saxons at Worcester last week. Despite being well beaten, they tried things previously beyond most Italian teams.

Tactics Having two teams in the Magners League and playing regularly at a higher level obviously helps, but finding the talent to pull the strings is still a problem. The last time Italy had half‑backs to match their forwards was when Diego Dominguez and Alessandro Troncon were still in harness. And this Six Nations there is no Craig Gower either, so Nick Mallett turns to Treviso's Australian fly-half Kristopher Burton.

Scotland

Overview A lot of people are wondering if Scotland are the dark horses. With Nathan Hines at No6 they certainly won't lack for bulk, but the issue is always whether they can score enough tries to win a championship like the Six Nations. Were the opener in Edinburgh and in filthy weather you'd look for a first-day upset. In Paris it's a bit less of a possibility.

Tactics Scotland are on a run, but three tries in 13 Tests? Andy Robinson is looking to Max Evans and Nikki Walker for an edge and Joe Ansbro, making his Six Nations debut at outside-centre, looked good for Northampton against Castres, but if you pick Dan Parks at fly-half you are going for territory on the back of a good set piece. The scrums will be fun in Paris, for example – the might of Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford and Euan Murray versus the technique of Nicolas Mas, William Servat and Thomas Domingo.

Wales (by Paul Rees)

(I won't be giving away Wales's plans – SE)

Overview Injuries continue to haunt Warren Gatland, who is without his two leading props and two right‑wings. The return of Shane Williams, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts behind will sharpen their attacking edge, but it is in defence where Wales need to tighten up. They suffered too many concentration lapses last year.

Tactics Wales were deliberately physical and confrontational against the southern‑hemisphere big boys in the autumn when they lacked options behind. The tactic should have worked against Australia and South Africa, but they were defensively vulnerable when they were turned over at the breakdown. They will not mind winning ugly tonight and they will pay more attention to stopping England, Youngs and Foden in particular, than they have in this fixture in recent years. Gatland caused a surprise in his selection by omitting the veteran openside flanker Martyn Williams, but they use his replacement, Sam Warburton, in a different way at the breakdown.